A Prayer to Overcome Paralyzing Fear
By Vivian Bricker
Today’s Bible Reading: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
Read or Listen Below:
Fear is something I am no stranger to. Due to struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), I tend to struggle with paralyzing fear daily. “Did I wash my hands enough? Am I going to get sick? Am I going to cause someone else to get sick?” All these fears rush into my head thousands of times every day.
Being worried about getting sick has become a common concern for most people in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hand sanitizer is still being passed around, masking is still required in some doctors’ offices, and one can never be too careful around those who have disclosed any sort of symptoms of an illness.
The sad reality is that there is zero chance that we will be spared from fear. My OCD latches on germs and the fear that I will get sick. No matter how many times I tell myself that I won’t get sick, it’s not true. I will get sick at some point in my life, just like everybody else. There is not a magic ritual I can do to spare myself from ever getting sick again.
We will never be immune to fear, but there are things we can do to prevent it from growing too strong. For example, maybe you also have a fear of getting sick. If this is true, try to give these worries and fears over to God. He is the only One who can truly protect us from illnesses and sickness (Psalm 91:1-3).
Each of us has our own paralyzing fears, yet we must overcome them with the help of God. If we allow fears to control us, we will soon become slaves to fear. Since Jesus has already set us free, there is no reason to be held in bondage to slavery anymore (Galatians 5:1). With the freedom we have in the Lord, we can overcome fear.
The Bible tells us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). As God tells us in this passage, we don’t need to fear or be dismayed because He is with us and He is our God. He will strengthen us, help us, and uphold us with His righteous right hand.
No matter what our fear may be, God is still stronger and more powerful than any circumstance. Choose to give all your fear over to God today. He will uphold you and give you strength. While we will still encounter scary situations, we no longer need to stress, worry, or grow anxious over these impending situations. Instead, we can walk in confidence, knowing that God is with us. He will never leave us to face our fears alone.
Let’s pray:
Dear God, please help me overcome the paralyzing fears in my life. Each fear I have feels as though it could completely consume me. Help me remember that You are with me and will protect me. I trust You with each of my fears. Thank You for never leaving me to face my fears alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Lolostock
Vivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.
Related Resource: When Life Unravels: Biblical Strategies for Hard Seasons
Few challenges stretch a parent’s faith and emotional reserves more than life’s unexpected curveball seasons—the plot twists that leave you wondering, “God, what are you doing?” How do you remain anchored in truth when the bottom drops out?
This week on Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine welcomes back her very first guest and trusted friend, Dr. Erin Barry, to help parents not only survive, but find hope and stability in life’s most turbulent moments. Dr. Barry is a clinical Christian counselor, author, homeschool expert, and co-founder of inseparableLives.com. Her biblically grounded wisdom comes from over 30 years of walking families through the storms of life.
In this transparent and practical episode, Catherine gets real about her own season of loss, uncertainty, and a series of shocking life upheavals—from parenting a prodigal, to family moves, to sudden job loss. Using these stories as a backdrop, Dr. Barry unpacks essential biblical strategies for clinging to faith and finding stability when life feels out of control. If this episode helps you be a more thoughtful parent, be sure to follow Christian Parent, Crazy World on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!